Plain — Ancient philosophy, in plain English

2 min read Original article ↗

Three men. Three completely different lives. The same philosophy.

Ancient philosophy. In plain English. One card at a time.

Meditations

A Roman emperor's private journal on self-discipline, duty, and finding peace in a chaotic world.

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Discourses

25 discourses from the four books of Epictetus's teachings, as recorded by his student Arrian. Practical lessons on what you can control, how to handle hardship, and what philosophy is actually for.

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The Enchiridion

A former slave's handbook for living free — even when everything around you is out of your control.

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On the Happy Life

Seneca answers his critics — can you preach simplicity while living in luxury? His answer is more honest than you'd expect.

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On Anger

Seneca dissects anger from every angle — what causes it, why it's destructive, and how to prevent it. Full of concrete examples and psychological insight.

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On Peace of Mind

A letter to a restless friend — practical advice on finding calm without withdrawing from life.

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On the Shortness of Life

Seneca's most urgent essay — a wake-up call about how we waste our lives on things that don't matter.

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